2008 DODGE SPRINTER engine overheat

188 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Do not accelerate to prevent your vehi-
cle from rolling backwards on an uphill
gradient. Instead, you should either use
the handbrake or depress the brake ped-
al. This prevents excessive wear on the
clutch.
Select a lower gear (shift range
3, 2 or
1)
(
\2
page 204) in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if
towing a trailer. This prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too rapidly.
It is best not to stop the vehicle immedi-
ately after the brakes have been subject-
ed to an extreme load; continue driving
for a short time instead. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.The first time the brakes are applied af-
ter a long period of driving in heavy rain
without braking, it is possible that:
\4
there will be a delayed braking
response
\4
you will need to depress the brake
pedal more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.
BrakingWarning
G
There is no power assistance for the ser-
vice brake when the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more
force to brake and could therefore lose
control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.
Never switch off the engine while driving.
Warning
G
Make sure that other road users are not
put at risk by your braking.
nf_BA.book Page 188 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

200 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Improper alignment will not cause vehi-
cle vibration. Vibration may be the result
of a tire and wheel imbalance. Proper
balancing will reduce vibration and avoid
tire cupping and spotty wear.
Coolant temperatureDuring severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximate-
ly 250 °F (120 °C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 250 °F
(120 °C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Sprinter warranty.
Warning
G
\4Driving when your engine is overheat-
ed can cause some fluids, which may
have leaked into the engine compart-
ment, to catch fire. You could be seri-
ously burned.
\4Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
nf_BA.book Page 200 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

237 Controls in detail
Auxiliary heating/ventilation*
3
The auxiliary heating heats the coolant
and the vehicle interior and is therefore
more favorable to the engine and con-
sumes less fuel. The fuel tank must be at
least a quarter full to ensure that the
auxiliary heating/ventilation operates
correctly.
The maximum heating period is
60 minutes.
You can use the auxiliary heating / ven-
tilation to:\4
ventilate or preheat the vehicle inte-
rior and to de-ice the windows
\4
start the engine better in cold weath-
er
\4
support the vehicle’s heating system
while the engine is running and out-
side temperatures are low (heater
booster function) (
\2
page 234)
You can use the operating system to de-
fine up to three switch-on times, one of
which can be selected to switch on the
auxiliary heating / ventilation
(
\2
page 240).You can switch the auxiliary heating /
ventilation on and off immediately using:
\4
the auxiliary heating / heater booster
switch (
\2
page 238)
\4
the auxiliary heating remote control*
(\2
page 239)
iThe auxiliary heating automatically
switches to heater booster mode af-
ter the engine is started.
!
CAUTION
Switch on the auxiliary heating at reg-
ular intervals (at least once a month)
for approximately 10 minutes.
Make sure that the hot air flow is not
obstructed. The auxiliary heating
would otherwise overheat and switch
off.
nf_BA.book Page 237 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

310 OperationDriving tips
4
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its brake.
Then increase the braking force.Warning
G
Take into consideration that when towing
a trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers. Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss
of control over the vehicle-trailer combi-
nation. This could cause an accident re-
sulting in property damage or injury to
you or others.
!
CAUTION
If the transmission hunts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a
lower gear (select
"4", "3", "2"
or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction
of speed reduces the chance of the
engine overloading and / or over-
heating.
When going down a long hill, shift
into a lower gear and use the en-
gine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the
brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioner is on,
turn off the air conditioner. Engine cool-
ant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the cli-
mate control fan speed to high and set-
ting the temperature control to the
maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since
your vehicle with a trailer will require ad-
ditional passing distance ahead than
when driving without a trailer. Because
your vehicle and trailer is longer than
your vehicle alone, you will also need to
go much farther ahead of the passed ve-
hicle before you can return to your lane.
nf_BA.book Page 310 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

313 Operation
Driving tips
4
Your vehicle is equipped with an oxida-
tion catalyst, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to
achieve substantial control of the pollut-
ants in the exhaust emissions. Keep
your vehicle in proper operating condi-
tion by following our recommended
maintenance instructions as outlined in
your Service Booklet.
!
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium un-
leaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in en-
gine operation should be repaired
promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.
Warning
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could
be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine)
nf_BA.book Page 313 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

455 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
The auxiliary heating does not switch on or the
engine does not start
WARNING
G
The auxiliary heating has overheated about ten
times in succession.
The engine or heater is malfunctioning.
\1Have the auxiliary heating checked at
an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The heater has overheated.
The coolant level is too low.
\1Check the coolant level and add coolant
if necessary (\2page 329).
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
nf_BA.book Page 455 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

474 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
/

The yellow coolant level
warning lamp lights up while
the engine is running.
The coolant level is too low.
Never run the engine if the coolant level is too low.
The engine could overheat and be damaged.
\1Stop at the earliest opportunity.
\1Switch off the engine to cool down.
\1Check the coolant level and add coolant
as necessary (\2page 329).
\1If you are having to add coolant fre-
quently, have the cooling system
checked at an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
nf_BA.book Page 474 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

502 Practical hintsDisplay messages
5
Z
Coolant
Stop, turn engine
off
The coolant temperature is too high.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
If the vehicle is switched off after being
subjected to extreme loads (for example driving
in mountainous terrain, trailer towing, etc.), this
message may be displayed when the ignition is
switched on or the engine is restarted. Run the
engine for approximately 1 minute at idling
speed.
Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer if the
message remains displayed.
H
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.
Never run the engine if the coolant level is
too low. The engine could overheat and be
damaged.
\1Add coolant (\2page 329).
\1If you are having to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked at an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause / result
Possible solution
nf_BA.book Page 502 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM